Mailbox with detachable decoration side panels

ABSTRACT

A molded mailbox having a curved top surface includes flattened vertical surface projecting from each lateral side each sized to receive a decorative plate having a corresponding flattened undersurface. Attachment and detachment is readily achieved by either blind holes formed in the flattened vertical surface that do not compromise the moisture resistance of the mailbox. Through holes in the decorative plate allow insertion of a fastener (e.g., bolt, screw, push-in fastener). Alternatively, attachment is achieved by a flange molded about three sides of the flattened vertical surface to slidingly receive the decorative plate.

CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/609,947 of the same title filed on Sep. 15, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a mailbox, and particularly to mail boxes having fixtures for attachable decorative plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mailboxes are often a convenient item to decorate or to otherwise personalize. Various approaches to adornment have been described, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,772,938; 5,946,838; 4,872,610; 4,813,595; 5,323,959; 5,323,959; and 4,244,512.

Adding name plates and other items that may be changed from time to time has also been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,769; 1,542,217; 1,474,424; 1,432,843; 808,764 and 5,346,125. These approaches lent themselves to the stamped metal construction typical of mailboxes of the time by adding cut-outs and tabs to receive a name card and other indicia.

More recently, molded resin or plastic mailboxes have grown in popularity due to their resistance to weather, retaining a color without the necessity of painting, and economical manufacturer. Examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. D489,160; D489,159; D488,908 and 4,367,844. Unfortunately, these mailboxes often do not lend themselves to decoration and signage as do the stamped sheet metal mailboxes.

Consequently, a significant need exists for a molded mailbox that readily accepts decoration and signage without impairing its resistance to water intrusion.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses these and other problems of the prior art by providing a mailbox that is molded into a rectangular shape with a curved upper surface but that readily accepts a decorative plate on either or both lateral sides. In particular, a flattened surface is molded into at least one lateral side with an attachment mechanism that does not penetrate into the interior of the mailbox yet readily attaches to a decorative flat plate.

In one aspect of the invention, the molded flattened surface includes an attachment mechanism of a plurality of screw holes formed into its surface sized to accept a plurality of screws without allowing penetration of the inserted screw into the interior.

In another aspect of the invention, an inwardly bent flange is molded into a front face of the flattened surface about a bottom and both lateral edges in order to accept a downwardly inserted decorative plate.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a molded mailbox having a flattened surface for receiving a decorative plate that is attached by fasteners.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a molded mailbox having a flattened surface for receiving a decorative plate that is slidingly received within a three-side flange that is open along a top edge of the flattened surface with a received lateral face to expose the decorative plate.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an injection-molded mailbox having a flattened surface for receiving a decorative plate.

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view of an alternative decorative plate with integral friction fasteners for the mailbox of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the Drawings, wherein in like numerals denote like components throughout the several views, in FIG. 1 a mailbox 10 is advantageously formed from a molded resin or plastic material that resists damage to due to weather (e.g., corrosion) as well as eliminating seams that tend to allow water intrusion. On at least one lateral side 12, a contoured top 14 includes an integral flattened surface 16 with a transition surface 18 formed therebetween. A decorative plate 20 has a corresponding flattened undersurface 22 registered for placement upon the flattened surface 16 of the mailbox 10.

An attachment mechanism advantageously allows for engagement and disengagement of the decorative plate 20, yet does not introduce a seam or through hole that would degrade the weather resistance of the mailbox 10. In the first illustrative version of FIG. 1, the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of blind fastener holes 24 formed about the periphery of the flattened surface 16. Each fastener hole 24 may include internal threads to receive a bolt, may provide a surface that would receive threads imparted by a screw (not shown), or provide a friction surface for frictional engagement by a plastic push-in fastener inserted into corresponding through holes 26 about the periphery of the decorative plate 20.

In FIG. 2, a similar mailbox 30 is depicted; however, a flattened surface 32 thereon has a molded inward flange 34 about its lateral and bottom periphery to form a card slot 36 having a recess 38 to expose a large portion of a decorative plate 40 inserted from the top therein. The decorative plate may include a corresponding recessed lateral and bottom periphery sized for the spacing of the flange 34 from the flattened surface 32 so that an exposed face 40 is flush with the recess 38 or may have a contoured and relieved surface.

In FIG. 3, a similar mailbox 50 is depicted to FIGS. 1 and 2 but having a non-curved top surface, depicted as a faux shingled peaked roof 52 that may be assembled over a curved surface or injection molded and appropriately colored/painted.

In FIG. 4, an alternative decorative plate 60 for the mailbox 10 of FIG. 1 advantageously includes friction fasteners 62 (e.g., expanding plastic rivets, plastic panel clips) that are inserted into the fastener holes 24 as the decorative plate 60 is pressed onto the integral flattened surface.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.

For example, fasteners such as hooks or pins may extend outwardly from the flattened vertical surface 16 to engage features on a decorative plate (e.g., blind holes or through holes). As yet a further example, a ferrous target and/or a magnetic decal may be affixed to the flattened vertical surface to magnetically attract a decorative plate having a corresponding magnetized or ferrous property.

As another example, while fastening mechanisms described herein advantageously preserve the integrity of weather resistance, applications consistent with the present invention may include fasteners that intrude into the interior of the mailbox.

As yet a further example, one or more male or female engagement members may be formed on the vertical surface of a mailbox that correspond to one or more female or male engagement surfaces on the flattened undersurface of a decorative plate that slidingly engage each other as the decorative plate is slid downwardly onto the mailbox. 

1. A mailbox, comprising: a hollow, closed molded body having an open end through which mail and the like is inserted and withdrawn from the body, the body further including a curved top wall, and attached on each lateral side to a bottom wall, and a door pivotally secured to the body for selectively closing and sealing the open end; a flattened vertical surface projecting from a selected lateral side of the curved top wall; a detachable decorative plate having a flattened undersurface registered to the flattened vertical surface; and an attachment mechanism formed in the flattened vertical surface for selectively engaging the detachable decorative plate.
 2. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of blind holes formed in the flattened vertical surface, corresponding through holes registered in the detachable decorative plate, and a plurality of fasteners.
 3. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a flange molded about a portion of a periphery of the flattened vertical surface wherein one side of the periphery is open to slidingly receive the detachable decorative plate.
 4. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a plurality of blind holes formed in the flattened vertical surface and a corresponding plurality of frictionally held fasteners projecting from the flattened undersurface of the detachable decorative plate.
 5. A mailbox, comprising: a hollow, closed molded body having an open end through which mail and the like is inserted and withdrawn from the body, the body further including a curved top wall, and attached on each lateral side to a bottom wall, and a door pivotally secured to the body for selectively closing and sealing the open end; a flattened vertical surface projecting from a selected lateral side of the curved top wall, the flattened vertical surface containing a plurality of externally exposed blind holes; a detachable decorative plate having a flattened undersurface registered to the flattened vertical surface; and a plurality of fasteners projecting from the flattened undersurface of the detachable decorative plate each registered to engage a selected blind hole.
 6. The mailbox of claim 4, wherein the blind holes include internal threads, the detachable decorative plate further comprises through holes, the plurality of fasteners each include external threads corresponding to the internal threads.
 7. The mailbox of claim 5, wherein the plurality of fasteners comprise a plurality of frictionally held fasteners attached to and projecting from the flattened undersurface of the detachable decorative plate.
 8. The mailbox of claim 7, wherein the frictionally held fasteners comprise plastic fasteners with resiliently expansive outer members.
 9. A mailbox, comprising: a hollow, closed molded body having an open end through which mail and the like is inserted and withdrawn from the body, the body further including a curved top wall, and attached on each lateral side to a bottom wall, and a door pivotally secured to the body for selectively closing and sealing the open end; a flattened vertical surface projecting from a selected lateral side of the curved top wall; a detachable decorative plate having a flattened undersurface registered to the flattened vertical surface; and a flange molded about a portion of a periphery of the flattened vertical surface wherein one side of the periphery is open to slidingly receive the detachable decorative plate. 